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Updated: Dec 23, 2025
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Epigenetic Regulation of Cardiac Differentiation of Embryonic Stem Cells and Tissues
Published on: June 3, 2016
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BET Epigenetic Reader Proteins in Cardiovascular Transcriptional Programs
Patricia Cristine Borck1, Lian-Wang Guo2, Jorge Plutzky1
1From the Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA (P.C.B., J.P.).
Circulation Research
|April 24, 2020
Summary
BETs are epigenetic reader proteins crucial for gene expression in cardiovascular health and disease. Inhibiting BETs shows promise in treating cardiovascular conditions by modulating transcriptional programs.
Area of Science:
- Epigenetics and molecular biology
- Cardiovascular research
- Transcriptional regulation
Background:
- Epigenetic mechanisms control gene expression through histone modifications.
- BET (bromodomain and extraterminal) proteins are key epigenetic readers, binding to acetylated histones.
- BETs facilitate transcription complex assembly, influencing gene expression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of BET proteins in cardiovascular transcriptional programs.
- To highlight the impact of BET inhibition on cardiovascular diseases.
- To discuss BETs as therapeutic targets in cardiovascular medicine.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent scientific literature on BET proteins and cardiovascular function.
- Analysis of data on BET inhibition effects in various cardiovascular cell types and conditions.
- Examination of clinical trial data for BET inhibitors in cardiovascular outcomes.
Main Results:
- BETs regulate induced and basal gene expression in vascular and cardiac cells.
- BET inhibition demonstrates therapeutic potential against atherosclerosis, hypertension, and cardiac hypertrophy.
- BETs are involved in cell differentiation and identity transitions in cardiovascular settings.
Conclusions:
- BET proteins are critical epigenetic regulators in cardiovascular health and disease.
- BET inhibition represents a promising therapeutic strategy for cardiovascular conditions.
- Further research is needed to fully elucidate the role and therapeutic potential of BETs.
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